TRANSformative perspectives on endometriosis research policy, and practice: Insights from multidisciplinary focus groups.

Abstract

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people with endometriosis have unique health needs. Current health research, policy, and clinical practice are developed within a biomedical and cisheteronormative paradigm that structurally excludes the TGD community, whose health needs remain largely unmet. This study aims to set an agenda for future research in the fields of endometriosis and gender diversity and to make recommendations for policy and practice through focus group methods. Twenty community members and professionals gathered for a two-day event at the Brocher Foundation in Switzerland. The group was heterogeneous in terms of gender, age, race, ability status, and professional background. On the first day, the participants gave twelve plenary presentations. On the second day, two plenary sessions and three parallel discussions in subgroups were facilitated. The data were analyzed through content analysis. Three main categories were identified: research, policy, and practice. Future studies should center the experiences of TGD people embodying different intersecting identities through transdisciplinary and community-based methods. The effects of gender-affirming care on endometriosis and the adequacy of endometriosis treatments for TGD people need to be further investigated. The education of healthcare providers is crucial to improve clinical practice, as well as a shift in health policy beyond cisheteronormativity.